OSHA Recordkeeping: An Update on New Initiatives

In September 2009, OSHA initiated an Injury and Illness Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program (NEP). Recently, several academic studies asserted varying degrees of under-recording of workplace injuries and illnesses on the OSHA Form 300. At the request of the U.S. Senate, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) initiated a study on the accuracy of employer injury and illness records. In an effort to identify and correct under-recorded and incorrectly recorded cases and to work cooperatively with the GAO, OSHA is initiating this NEP. The NEP will pilot test OSHA's ability to effectively target establishments to identify under-recording of occupational injuries and illnesses. This NEP is one component of OSHA's effort to address the issue of inaccurate recording of occupational injuries and illnesses. This presentation will review the GAO study findings, provide an overview of the NEP, describe protections to worker confidentiality, and describe possible changes to the OSHA forms that will enhance their usefulness to employers and epidemiologists.